USD 428 Great Bend Meeting Agenda (9-8-25
1809 24th Street, Great Bend
REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE HEARING
Sept. 8, 2025, 5 p.m.
(AI) 1. Call to Order of Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing / Roll Call
(IO) 2. Recognition of Visitors at the Hearing
(AI) 3. Approval of Resolution to Exceed Revenue Neutral Rate
The local Board of Education must approve by resolution to exceed the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2025-2026. Mr. Popp will provide details and recommend approval.
(AI) 4. Adjournment of Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing
BUDGET HEARING
Immediately following the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing
(AI) 1. Call to Order of Budget Hearing
(IO) 2. Recognition of Visitors at the Budget Hearing
(IO) 3. Review of District Needs Assessment
(Refer to Mr. Thexton)
(AI) 4. Budget Hearing
(Refer to Mr. Thexton)
There will be a summative review of USD 428’s 2025-2026 budget, as published in the Tribune on Aug. 16, 2025. The administration recommends approval/adoption of the FY 2025-2026 budget. (Attachment Budget)
(AI) 5. Adjournment of Budget Hearing
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Sept. 8, 2025, Immediately following the Budget Hearing
AI: Action Item DI: Discussion Item IO: Information Only
USD 428 Board of Education Goals
Goal 1: Increase student achievement for all students at all levels.
Goal 2: Attract and retain quality staff in USD 428.
Goal 3: Provide optimum technology for teaching and learning.
Goal 4: Make fiscally sound decisions in order to provide an optimal learning environment for all.
(AI) 1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Roll Call
1.2 Adoption of Agenda
1.3 Recognition of Visitors
1.4 Request to Speak Reminder
● Persons may present ideas or concerns regarding USD 428. The Board will take no action at this meeting. Such items will be referred to the appropriate administrator(s) for future information and researched and reported back to the Board at a later meeting. Personalities and behavior of employees are not to be presented during this period but are to be reported to the employee’s immediate supervisor. The president shall determine the amount of time to be spent for citizen participation.
1.5 Citizen’s Open Forum
(IO) 2. COMMUNICATIONS
● Board Member Comments
● USD 428 Education Foundation
● Written Communications / Correspondence
(IO) 3. PRESENTATIONS
● Kansas Secondary Educator of the Year Award
Congratulations to Kim Heath, who was named Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA) Secondary Educator of the Year. Mrs. Heath teaches speech, debate, and is the forensics coach at Great Bend High School. Congratulations, Mrs. Heath!
● Advanced Theatre Trip Proposal
GBHS Drama teacher Holly Johnson will present information regarding the Branson, Mo., trip for Advanced Theatre students during the 2026 Spring Break. More information will be provided, and the Board will be asked to approve the out-of-state trip.
● Director’s Report
Each month, a district director will present department updates to board members.
Dirk Davis, Director of Maintenance, will provide a report to board members at this meeting.
(IO/AI) 4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of Resolution to Adopt Local Option Budget (LOB) Percentage
(Refer to Mr. Popp) (Attachment 4A)
All boards of education must annually adopt a resolution setting the local option budget percentage resolution. The maximum percentage that may be authorized is the statewide average of 32.3% unless the district has passed a resolution to exceed the statewide average. The district recommends adopting the statewide average of 32.3% as our Local Option Budget (LOB) percentage. The administration recommends approval of the LOB.
(AI) B. Approval of Workers' Compensation Audited Adjustment
(Refer to Mr. Popp) (Attachment 4B)
The annual gross Workers' Compensation premium through KASB is based on the estimated payroll at the beginning of the year and is then audited and adjusted according to the actual payroll at year's end. Audited figures for July 2024 through June 2025 show a balance due of $9,742; therefore, the administration recommends approval to pay this amount.
(AI) C. KASB Delegate Assembly
(Refer to Mr. Thexton)
The KASB Delegate Assembly is the Annual Business Meeting of the Association. Each KASB member entity designates a voting delegate at the assembly to represent their local Board of Education in voting on legislative priorities for 2026. Voting delegates will select a KASB President-Elect Designee and vote on proposed changes to the KASB Constitution and our Legislative Positions and Priorities, which guide the association’s legislative efforts. Jacquie Disque, President, will be registered as the USD 428 Delegate, and Aaron Emerson, Vice President, will serve as the alternate. The Delegate Assembly is scheduled for November 14. A link will be sent to Delegates from KASB to submit their electronic vote.
(IO/AI) 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
(IO) 6. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION REPORT
(Refer to Assistant Superintendent JoAnn Blevins)
A. Professional Development Update
The board will get an update on professional learning for teachers, including support for novice teachers and planning for the October 6th in-service day.
B. New Teacher Mentor Program
USD 428 provides a two-year mentorship program for new teachers. First-year teachers and their assigned mentors meet weekly, while second-year teachers meet with their mentors every other week. Additionally, experienced teachers new to the district are paired with an Ambassador to help them acclimate to a new building at the start of the school year.
C. Curriculum Adoption Update
Mrs. Blevins will inform the board about the curriculum adoption efforts happening during the 2025-2026 school year.
D. HB 2382 Update
House Bill 2382 is a law that requires school districts to include a human fetal development presentation as part of the curriculum for any course covering human growth, human development, or human sexuality. The district administration will report the efforts USD 428 will take to comply with the bill.
E. Curriculum Meetings
▪ Curriculum Steering Committee: 8/12/25 minutes, next meeting 10/7/25
▪ Professional Development Council (PDC): 8/11/25 minutes, next meeting 9/8/25
(IO) 7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
(Refer to Assistant Superintendent John Popp)
A. Student Immunizations
Required and recommended student immunizations are to be updated by Oct. 1. School nurses monitor student immunization records and report information to the principals to enforce the policy. To avoid exclusion, one of the following must be submitted to the nurse’s office:
▪ Proof of receiving the vaccine.
▪ An annual written statement signed by a licensed physician stating the physical condition of the child to be such that the tests or inoculation would seriously endanger the life or health of the child.
▪ A written statement signed by one parent or guardian that the child is an adherent of a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such tests or inoculations.
B. Expectations for Activities and Events
As fall athletic events approach, good sportsmanship is essential for creating a positive sports environment within our community. Mr. Popp will share a friendly reminder regarding sportsmanship and respect, as well as expectations and district policy for students attending events.
C. Safety Committee Update
The District Safety Committee meets monthly. Mr. Popp will give an update on the committee’s targets and goals for this year.
D. Upcoming Projects
Board members and the administration will review upcoming district projects that will require completion.
▪ Camera replacement – Park and Riley Elementary Schools
▪ Roofing Schedule – Park Elementary, GBHS Gymnasium, Riley Elementary partial replacement
▪ HVAC upgrades – GBHS gymnasium, auditorium, offices/classrooms, Controls
(IO/AI) 8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
(Refer to Superintendent Khris Thexton)
A. Enrollment Numbers Update
B. 2025 Kansas Teacher Retention Survey
C. 31st Annual Kid’s Ag Day
D. Suicide Prevention Month and Week- September 7-13, 2025
E. Fire Safety and Awareness Week, October 5-10, 2025 “Charge into Fire Safety!”. This year’s campaign addresses using lithium-ion batteries safely at home.
F. Personnel Update
G. Approval of Grants / Contributions (Attachment 8G)
IO) 9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
(AI) 10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes [August 11, 2025, August 27, 2025]
B. Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report
(IO) 11. UPCOMING MEETING DATES
•BOE Luncheon Meeting: at noon on September 24, 2025 (GB Middle School)
•Fall Homecoming: on October 10, 2025, with Liberal, parade at 3:00 p.m.
•BOE Regular Meeting: The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2025, at the District Education Center.
•Education Foundation Annual Dinner & Auction: on November 13, 2025, tickets are available for the Red & Black Ball
•Annual KASB Convention: on November 14-16, 2025, in Wichita, KS
(AI) 12. ADJOURNMENT